Key holder



July 24, 1962 R. R. RENTSCHER ETAL 3,045,469

KEY HOLDER Filed Aug. 18, 1958 States The invention relates to improvements in key rings and, more particularly, pertains to a dou-ble key ring from which .the most often used key may be readily removed.

Many types of key rings and holders vtherefor have been proposed. However, the present invention is directed to key holders of the ytype which are selfcontained, may be carried in .the pocket, and are adapted to display indicia useful in identifying the keys or the supplier of the holder.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a useful key holder adapted `to identify and secure one or more keys. A more specic object of the invention is to provide a holder having two key rings, one replaceable but substantially permanent, and the other readily removable or detaching a single, most used, key. Thus, it is an important object of the invention to provide a double key ring holder adapted to hold a relatively large group of keys on one ring, and to hold a single key, such as a car ignition key, on a readily detachable ring. These and other objects of the inventionlwill become apparent as the description thereof proceeds.

Briefly, the key holder, according to this invention, comprises -a spool and a detachable key ring. The faces of the disc portions of the spool are adapted to display indicia. rIhe key ring comprises an open wire loop terminating in a pair of resilient jaws which are adapted to removably engage the shank of the spool. In a preferred embodiment of the key holder, the shank portion of the spool is divided by an intermediate disc into two ring receiving portions. One ring is as just described, and the second ring includes a loop 'which is normally closed when removed from `the spool. In such a ring the key on the second ring stays on even when the ring has been removed from the spool.

To provide yfor the indicia, the -fa-ces of `the discs torming the ends of the spool are provided with recesses adapted to receive separate indicia plates which are enclosed by a transparent window.

Further details and advantages of the key holder, according to this invention, will be described lby reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE l is an enlarged plan View oi a preferred embodiment of the key holder;

FIGURE 2 is a side View of the holder in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a section taken along the line 3 3 in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the readily detachable key ring;

FIGURE 5 is a plan View of the permanent key ring;

FIGURE 6 is an exploded view of the spool in FIG- URES l-3 inclusive;

FIGURES 7 and 8 are plan and side views respectively of an embodiment of the invention providing yfor a single key ring; and ,j

FIGURES 9 and 10, and FIGURES 11 and 12, are plan and side views respectively of other embodiments of the holder with a single key ring.

Referring to the drawings, the key holder of FIGURE 1 comprises the spool 1G made up of a rst disc 11, and a second disc =12, said discs having ibosses 11a and 12a, respectively, which together form shank 13. rIlle partition disc 14 divides the shank 13 into two portions or atent 3,645,469 Patented July 24, 1962` chambers which accommodate a rst permanent key ring 15, and a second readily detachable key ring 16.

The readily detachable key ring 16 is shown in FIG- URE 4 and comprises resilient jaws 20 having outwardlyilared terminal portions 2da and the closed loop 21. It should be noted that the detachable key ring 16 will retain the key on the loop 21 even -when removed from the spool 10. f

The fixed or relatively permanent key ring is shown in detail by FIGURE 5. It includes the open loop 18 and a pair of jaws 19 having outwardly flared terminal portions 15a which embrace the shank 13 of the spool 10.

The spool 110 is assembled from its components as illustrated in FIGURE 6. The discs 11 and 12, with the partition disc 14 interposed, are arranged with the bosses y 11a and 12a in opposition, and the rivet 25 secures this sub-assembly. Each of the spool discs 11 and 12 (they are identical) is provided with a bevel edge 23 which retains the base disc 26, the indicia plate 27, and the overlying plastic window 28. If desired, the base 26 and the plate 27 may be integral. Likewise, the indicia plate 27 may carry its own protective window 2S.

The indicia plate 27 may suitably comprise a printed paper disc, and the fbase 26 and the Window 2S may be identical plastic sheets. It is also contemplated that the indicia plate 27 and Ithe window 23 may be laminated with pressure-sensitive adhesives so that an impression on the window results in a visible letter, number, and the like.

The embodiment of the key holder shown in FIGURES 7 and 8 is similar to 'that of FIGURE 1 but comprises only one key ring 15.

In FIGURES 9 and l0, the holder comprises two dat discs 36, made, vfor example, from aluminum sheet, a washer providing a shank 32, and a rivet 31. This spool may be used with either of the key rings 15 or 16, as shown in FIGURE 8.

Another embodiment of the spool 1li is shown in FIG- URES 11 and 12. In this embodiment, a convex disc 33 carrying a pin 34 is mated with convex disc 35 having recess 36, lthe outer surface of the boss containing the recess 36 provides a shank 37. This spool also may be used with either of the key rings 15 or 16.

Although not shown in the drawing, it is contemplated that the convex discs 33 and 35 may be provided with Vsuitable recesses to receive an indicia plate 27 and a plastic window 28.

In each of the embodiments illustrated and described as having an indicia plate 27, it is also contemplated that various articles, such as a good luck penny, a commercial seal, a photograph, samples yof pills, or the like may Abe substituted yfor the pla-te 27 and enclosed by the window 28.

In addition to the forms illustrated, it is contemplated that embodiments, for example as shown in FIGURE 10, can 'be made of three pieces 311 and 30a of aluminum or other metal and spot-welded together, thus avoiding the rivet 31. It is also `to be underestood .that any oi these may be made of one piece by molding from a plastic or by machining from metal or plastic bar stock.

Although the invention has Ibeen described in terms of illustrated embodiments thereof, it is understood lthat these are intended to ybe by way of example only. Additional embodiments and variations in construction will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are contemplated `Without departing `from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. The improved key holder which comprises in combination a spool consisting o-f a pair of concave discs arranged back-to-back, a planar disc interposed said concave discs, and a rivet passing through said dises to secure them in a fixed array, a pair of annular channels in said array, closure means for each of said concave discs, said closure means including a window, and a pair of key rings having portions thereof disposed within said channels, at least one of said key rings forming a closed loop when removed from the spool.

2. A double key ring holder including a symmetrical spool having identical end discs, a shank means between said discs, said shank means being of substantial diameter and somewhat less than the diameter of said discs, and a pair of removable `key rings embracing said shank between said discs, each of said key rings comprising a loop and a pair of resilient jaws, said jaws engaging said shank, and at least one of said rings forming a closed loop when removed from said shank.

3. A Ikey holder adapted for use with automobiles wherein the ignition key is separable -from other pocket keys comprising a spool member including a shank means and a pair of end discs, a first key ring having a first portion thereof about said shank and a second portion thereof adapted to receive and retain a number of pocket keys, the said first ring comprising a normally open resilient wire loop wherein said first portion is a pair of spaced jaws firmly engaging said shank, and a second key ring having a first portion separately embracing the spool and a second portion Vadapted to retain the ignition key, the said second portion of said second ring comprising a normally closed resilient wire loop and said first portion of said second ring comprises a pair of terminal jaws embracing said shank, whereby the holder with the first ring and pocket keys may be readily separated from said second ring carrying the ignition key which may remain within the ignition lock of the automobile.

4. A key holder which includes a pair of key rings, a flat spool-like member, said pair of key rings lbeing carried by said member, one of said rings including a resilient loop terminating in a pair of opposed `concave jaws removably engaging the shank portion of said spool-like member and the other of said rings including a closed loop terminating in a pair of opposed concave jaws spreadable to engage the said shank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,456,093 Carlson May 22, 1923 1,478,896 Ferency Dec. 25, 1923 1,593,254 Guthe July 20, 1926 FOREIGN PATENTS 68,537 Switzerland Apr. 1, 1915 251,472 Switzerland Aug. 2, 1948 

